The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 1 November 2022.
Runway excursion
Calm Air International LP
Avions de Transport Régional ATR 42-300, C-FAFS
Naujaat Airport, Nunavut
The occurrence
On 26 November 2020, the Calm Air International LP Avions de Transport Régional ATR 42-300 aircraft (registration C-FAFS, serial number 298) was conducting flight CAV464 under instrument flight rules from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, to Naujaat, Nunavut, with 3 crew members on board. While on descent, the crew observed abnormally low propeller rpm indications on the left engine. At 1326 Central Standard Time, shortly after touchdown on Runway 34 at Naujaat Airport, directional control was lost and the aircraft experienced a runway side excursion on the east side of the runway. The aircraft came to rest approximately 108 feet from the runway edge. The captain received serious injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Media materials
News release
Propeller malfunction led to 2020 runway excursion in Naujaat, Nunavut
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to a runway excursion in Naujaat, Nunavut
Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2 December 2020 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Naujaat, Nunavut, following a runway excursion that occurred on 26 November 2020, involving an ATR-42-300 operated by Calm Air. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
A20C0107
Runway excursion
Calm Air International LP
Avions de Transport Régional ATR 42-300, C-FAFS
Naujaat Airport, Nunavut
Investigator-in-charge
Ross Peden has 35 years of civil aviation experience. He joined the TSB in September 2001 as a Flight Operations investigator in the TSB central region office in Winnipeg Manitoba. Prior to joining the TSB, he worked as an airline pilot for different Canadian and foreign carriers, which included a 4 year stint in Sudan Africa and 3 years in Paris France. During that time, he flew different aircraft types, starting on small bush aircraft and eventually finishing commercial career on large jet aircraft. In 1996 he joined Transport Canada, as an Instrument procedures specialist, followed by a period with what was then called system safety.
Since joining the TSB, Mr. Peden has participated in several TSB investigations, including the 2005 Air France accident at Pearson Airport in Toronto.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.